C. Creating a question

Step 1: We think about the construction of problem 1 in our Quiz.

What is 5% of 80? (Answer: 4)

Some questions we should ask:

a. How many variables do we need just for the question and the solution?

We need a variable for the percentage – we'll use “p”.

We need a variable for the first value – we'll use “a”.

We need a variable for the percentage value – we'll use “b”.

b. What is the relationship between these values?

c. What range of values do we want for our variables?

Let's say we want p to be between 1% and 99% and a to be between 50 and 500.

(Note that the value of b is set by the relationship.)

d. Do we have any other conditions?

We want a, p, and b to be whole numbers.

We want a, p, and b to be unique for all questions in our quiz.

Now we're ready to create the question.

Step 2: Create our variables.

To define and edit variables either:

Press [Ctrl] +[D]. (This means press and hold the Ctrl key and then press the letter d.)

or Select the Edit menu and then Algorithm Definitions.

The Edit Algorithm Definitions dialog box will open.

Click on New.

The New Algorithm dialog box will open and the cursor will be in the Variable name field.

Follow the instructions below, using [Tab] or your mouse to move between the fields.

The ExamView predefined special function range( ) will generate a whole number value for p between 1 and 99.

By selecting the box “Make only...”, p will be different for all questions in this bank. We will add the percent sign when creating the question.

We repeat from § for the variable a.

Click on New and then follow the instructions in the image below.

For the variable b, again we click on New. However, now we put in our relationship.

Step 3: We set our conditions.

Finally, we put in the condition for whole numbers only.

By our definitions a and p are already whole numbers. We only need to set a condition for b.

We are using the ExamView Test Generator predefined math function int( ), which returns the integer (whole number) part of the variable in the parentheses. If the integer part of a number is equal to the number, then the number is an integer.

Our Edit Algorithm Definitions box should look this.

If your screen doesn't look the same, click on the incorrect item. Then click on Edit. You can then fix it.

Step 4: We build our question.

Type “What is” and then select (click on) the Insert menu, then Variable.

The Insert Variable dialog box will open:

The Question field should look like this:

Notice that p is shaded. That is because it is a dynamic variable.

Now, type “% of ”.
Insert the variable a.
Type “?” to get:

We are ready to work on the Answer field.

Step 5: We build our solution.

Here we can simply put in the answer (this is required) or we can put in the answer plus any explanation (rationale) we think is appropriate. (This is further explained in Chapter 2.) To put in the answer, we click in the Answer field and insert the variable b.

Then we click on Record(bottom left-hand corner) to save our question.

Here is a sample test question. Most likely the values in your question will be different because ExamView Test Generator generates the values randomly, according to our definitions.

Try changing the values using the Calculate Values .

Step 6: Save the file.

Click on the File menu, then on Save.

A Save dialog box will appear with the following at the bottom:

Do not click anywhere! Just start typing the File name: Percentages with Whole Numbers

The File name should appear where “untitled.bnk” was (see below).

Click on Save (or hit Enter). The file name should now appear in the title bar (see below).

You are now at a parking place. If you wish, you can exit EVTG. When you wish to continue, restart EVTG and open your question bank. For information on how to do this, go to the end of this chapter to Part I: Troubleshooting.